FDA approves new cervical cancer screening technology for review

UPDATE: This post originally titled: “FDA approves new cervical cancer screening technology,” incorrectly implied that the FDA had approved the screening technology. In actuality, it has only been approved for review.

“Receiving the ‘suitable for filing’ letter from the FDA is the first significant milestone in the regulatory review process and means that our application was sufficiently complete and is ready for substantive review,” said Mark L. Faupel, Ph.D., President and CEO of Guided Therapeutics. “This brings us one step closer to realizing our goal of improving the early detection of cervical disease and reducing the false positives and unnecessary biopsies that result with the current standard of care.”

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Guided Therapeutics, Inc. recently received a premarket approval from the FDA for a new technology that could improve the manner in which cervical cancer is screened and tested. The new device, called LightTouch uses biophotonic technology which claims to be painless and can detect cancer earlier than the current methods of cervical cancer screening. According to Biomedreports:

Biophotonic technology uses light to create images of cervical cells’ biochemical and morphological changes. LightTouch does not require laboratory testing and analysis, which would not only save time but money. Additionally, it is designed to provide immediate results, is more accurate than pap smears and HPV tests, and painless. Early detection is a major component in reducing the mortality of cervical cancer.

Pap smears, HPV tests and vaccines should not be disregarded. It is important for women of all ages to get frequently tested. However LightTouch, if it is as effective as Guided Therapeutics states, could change the face of cervical cancer detection.